Scottish Spirits – It’s Getting Strange

by Oliver Klimek on January 28, 2011

Inspired by last week’s Scottish Spirits news about whisky in cans I was venturing around the nether regions of the whisky industry with the help of my favourite search engine. I came across a company called Reynald & Sons from Glasgow (176 St Vincent Street). That name rang a bell because the name of the owner of Scottish Spirits Ltd. is Reynald Katz.

And – surprise – the website looks almost like a clone of the Scottish Spirits site.

But it is not an exact clone. The brand range and the bottle pictures are all the same, but Reynald & Sons are universally talking of “Scotch whisky” next to their bottles whereas Scottish Sprits only mentions “whisky”. The “Manufacturing under license” page replaces the “malt and alcohol” raw materials with various types of spirits including Scotch whisky that are supposed to be bottled with their machinery. The company also offers Scotch whisky in bulk, for example “single cask 12, 18, 21 and 50 year old”

Scotch or no Scotch? So far, the question remains unanswered.

And there is another suprise hidden on the site. The Bottle specification page shows a picture of the Label 5 blend of French Producer La Martiniquaise who recently bought Glen Moray distillery from LVMH.

So could there even be a connection between Panama and Martinique, so to speak? I think I forgot to mention that Reynald Katz is of French origin as well.

In addition to all uncertainty about the Scotch-ness of the whisky of Scottish Spirits one thing has struck me. Both compaines claim to sell one million of cases of whisky (perhaps it’s the same whisky, perhaps not). This is quite a lot, 12 million bottles actually.

But on the internet I have not seen a single trace of their whisky on offer to the end consumer. Google searches only list business directories or B2B platforms like alibaba.com. And most interestingly, when you click the alibaba links you are told they have been removed from the site. Other sites list bulk offers from Serlogin S.A (owned by Reynald Katz) for whisky made under license of Scottish Spirits Ltd. (also owned by Reynald Katz). Does the owner of both firms have to grant himself a license?

Where is Their Whisky?

The first person who can send me pictures of an actual bottle of whisky in a shop (front and back) that was made by Scottish Spirits or Reynald & Sons or Serlogin S.A will get a decent single malt sample from my collection. Send me a sealed bottle and I will return the favour with a bottle of Glenlivet 12.

I’m involved in a possible supply deal with Scottish Spirits and in doing the preliminary due diligence on our potential strategic partner in business, I came across your blog notes concerning Scottish Spirits and Mr. Katz. I would be much obliged if you might be able to give me any further insight or update on the situation involving advertising, trademarks, whisky provenance, SWA action(s), etc.

I can’t really tell you more than I have written. So far there has only been a continuous stream of announcements, but I have yet to see evidence of actual products being sold, let alone tasting notes by independent sources. All bottle and can pictures you see are computer generated. I am eagerly awaiting the fog to lift that surrounds this company.

PS: I have removed you telephone number, so you don’t risk to get spammed

RUN. Google search the guy, he’s a fantastic front man. He posted an announcemnt on International Beverage Network about 2 years ago that he had the International Rights to Stolichnaya. For kicks…myself and another “played it”. No proof, lots of talk, a spreadsheet or 2 and a “the Russians won’t ship until your funds clear”

As you have seen in the past 2 years, Stolichnaya has maintained its brand partners.

This is a long-overdue reply but thanks for the advice. Our discussion with Scottish Spirits never got past talking stage last year, as they apparently got cold feed upon being faced with increasingly more scrutiny on our part:

Hi Nick,

I was just informed by my management that due to very busy sales in other regions of the world, we have to pass on the opportunity to work with your client.

We wish you the best of luck and hope that soon you will be able to introduce your own brand to the Russian market.

My name is Jose Perez and I am the General Manager of The Best Spirits Company S.A. de C.V. located in the state of Aguascalientes in Mexico.

I have attached to this email the presentation of some of our whiskies so we may have the opportunity to become part of your selected group of suppliers.

Our budget friendly line is the answer to the very high demand whiskies are having worldwide but at a very affordable price. Now, thanks to The Best Spirits Company, more people can enjoy a great tasting whisky with amazing quality for a fraction of the cost of the higher end products.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you that we are currently offering our budget friendly whisky line for the amazing price of only $ 22.00 USD per case of 12 – 700ml. bottles. (This is our Aguascalientes City Ex Works price but it is negotiable depending on purchasing volume).

Another one of our great products is a whisky packaged in an aluminum can, which is a great new way to enjoy your whisky. This innovating and new presentation will provide great benefits to your clients such as:

· Aluminum cans cannot be tampered with, which ensures that the whisky inside has not been adulterated.

· They can be chilled quickly and maintain their low temperature for long periods of time.

· They are easy to carry because they are light, in fact they are 50 % lighter than whisky packaged in a glass bottle . You can take them practically anywhere with you. They can be enjoyed by the pool or even at the beach without worrying about broken glass bottles.

· Our brand, Williamson 18 in aluminum cans is being offered at the Ex Works Price of $ 24.00 USD. (24 – 355ml. cans per case)

The advantage that The Best Sprits Company has over its competitors is that we manufacture our own products. In fact, we can also offer you any other kind of distilled spirit you may have the need for such as Vodka, Rum, Gin, Agave liquor (a very budget friendly version of tequila), etc.

I remain at your disposal should you happen to have any questions regarding this email or any of our great products.